Art Basel for the Next Generation: How Art Kids Connect Creativity, Care and Sustainability
Eva Mai
Art Kids has become a beloved part of Art Basel, offering families a welcoming space where children can explore creativity while their parents visit the fair. In 2025, the program once again unfolded across Basel and Miami Beach, each edition shaped by its own atmosphere, educational focus and cultural context - yet united by the aim of making art accessible for the youngest visitors and empower them to explore it.
In Basel, the Art Kids space was redesigned together with the childcare organization familea, which ensured a warm and professional environment for children aged four to twelve. A dedicated family infrastructure and carefully planned play areas created a safe and inviting setting for discovery. Young visitors could move freely between active play and artistic exploration, taking part in this year’s “Magic Forest 2025” workshop where they brought imaginative woodland scenes to life, a creative project that later decorated the Arts & Crafts areas and added a joyful, colourful presence. With flexible opening hours and the possibility for children to stay throughout the day, the program continued to be an essential support for families attending the show.
In Miami Beach, the Art Kids- operated by the Miami Children’s Museum - placed the theme of “Sustainable Art” at the heart of its programming. Children were invited to work with recycled and repurposed materials across a series of artist-inspired stations, turning cardboard, fabric scraps, leaves and found objects into collaborative murals, kinetic sculptures, botanical prints and expressive self-portraits. A vibrant fabric installation made from donated textiles welcomed families at the entrance, setting the tone for a space where creativity and environmental awareness intertwined. The program, complemented by reading corners, interactive games and imaginative play spaces, showed how art can inspire new perspectives on reuse, biodiversity and the value of everyday materials.
Together, these spaces demonstrate how child-centered programs can enrich the Art Basel experience while accelerating the commitment to create social and environmental awareness. By nurturing creativity, ensuring accessibility for families and integrating themes of conscious material use, they open meaningful pathways for the next generation to engage with art - one curious hand, colourful collage or playful idea at a time.
